Re: Poll: How important a goal do you feel is the "aikido" notion of defending yours

Quote:

Joep Schuurkes wrote:

I voted "not at all important" since I don't believe in the practitcal application of this "aikido" notion in self-defence.

And then I thought: in the dojo with the attacker being an uke, I surely want to negate the damage done to the attacker.
So how did the other voters interpret the question:training or self-defence?

I interpreted it as both. I think the goal is critically important. Does this mean the goal will always be actualized? No, but to do Aikido as I understand it, the intent must be there, otherwise you're doing a form of aikijujutsu. So you don't think it's practical, say, to go up against a drunkard who is well out of his right mind and not hurt the person? Against people of roughly equal abilities or when the odds are stacked against you I don't think it's very likely to be able to negate damage to your attacker, but if possible I think ought try (have the goal).
Take care,
Matt